Albrighton: What A Difference A Year Makes

- Marc Albrighton says he is enjoying his football after playing in a 2-2 draw against Southampton at the weekend

- When the Foxes faced the Saints in the same fixture last November, Albrighton wasn't even in the travelling squad

- The winger has now played in every league game since the 2-1 win over West Ham in April

- Albrighton praises the competition and attitude within the current squad

The winger again played a key role for Claudio Ranieri’s men at the weekend as they recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away at Southampton and continued to show the qualities that have fuelled speculation of an England call-up. 

But rewind to November last season, when the Foxes succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away to the Saints, and it was an altogether different story for both Albrighton and the Club. 

The loss was City’s sixth match without a win and a run they would not end until a victory away at Hull City just before the New Year. And for Albrighton, he wasn’t even in the squad that day against Southampton – or Hull for that matter. 

However with plenty of hard work and a positive mental attitude, the 25-year-old was able to play his way back into contention and after making a telling contribution in City’s season-changing win over West Ham in April, the former Aston Villa man has been involved in every subsequent league match. 

“We were chatting about the Southampton game last season and I had to point out that I didn’t even make the travelling squad,” Albrighton reflected to . “I was watching Soccer Saturday at home so it is a massive turnaround for me personally. It’s nice to be getting involved more and it’s a great squad to be a part of. 

“You can’t sulk about these things, you’ve just got to get on with it. Football is a funny old game and it can change as quickly as anything. You’ve just got to have the belief, work hard and you will get your chance.” 

The competition in the City squad is at its highest level in recent memory. Indeed against Southampton it was substitutes Nathan Dyer and Riyad Mahrez that came off the bench to change the game – something that Albrighton knows can only be good for the Club. 

He added: “We’ve all got to be on our toes. Riyad I’m sure will feel hard done by to be left out of the starting line up the last two games because he’s been not only one of our best performers this season but also one of the Premier League’s best, so he will have been disappointed. 

“He’s not sulked about it though, he’s got on with his business, come here, come on at half time and changed the game.

“We’ve got so many options in wide areas and attacking options in general. Andrej [Kramarić] didn’t even make the bench and he’s been superb every time he’s come in and played for us and we all know his talents. 

“That goes to show the strength that we’ve got in these areas. For the gaffer to make the two subs at half time and for them to have such an impact on the game is fantastic for the Club.”